There’s something about Brooklyn music you just can’t get anywhere else.

You can hear the rough and toughness through beats that go fast and slow all in one song. The melodies give you that chill of someone’s Doc Martens accidentally stomping into a deep puddle of sludge.

B Boys

Newly opened Bushwick venue Elsewhere is already a Brooklyn music staple. On Sunday, Elsewhere billed a sold out show with several of the most current Brooklyn bands to provide the world with that dirty and dangerous kind of night you can only get in Brooklyn.

It was epic and hectic. The bands were amazing, but they were all on at the same time. I had to run back and forth to not miss a thing. Unfortunately, I missed Casey Hopkins and Bodega—believe me, my heart was broken.

Fortunately, I’ve caught Casey Hopkins before. He’s one of the younger resident blues-rock ‘n’ rollers of the Brooklyn scene. He can do anything on the guitar—shred it, bop it, flip it, turn it and play the wildest solo you’ll ever hear.

Parquet Courts

I’d never seen Bodega, but I’ve heard amazing things about them, so I was bummed I missed them. However, I did get to mosh around with Bodega’s guitarist, Madison, when Animal Show played and that was fun. They’re top of my list of bands to see ASAP.

I missed them because while they were playing Zone One (200 capacity) of Elsewhere, B Boys and Parquet Courts were playing The Hall (700 capacity).

B Boys and Parquet Courts were the perfect combination. Both Brooklyn-birthed bands, they complemented each other like a fine wine paired with a good steak. Each have that ‘70s NYC-punk influences with a little post-punk sound and that new wave Devo strangeness.

Parquet Courts got a little upset when an over-eager audience member launched a beer can at them. The band’s poor reaction was a little upsetting—that’s a telltale sign of a good Brooklyn show. But even with that small hiccup, every face looked up at the bands with a sparkle in their eye. As I took a look at the massive crowd, everyone seemed like they were exactly where they wanted to be.

I snuck out before they were finished because one of my currently favorite NYC bands were playing in Zone One.

Animal Show is that true-blue, down-to-the-bone NYC punk. They play from the heart, without giving any fucks. Though the crowd wasn’t as packed as the one I just came from, I was immediately lifted and crowd surfed to the front. Head banging and moshing ensued and I felt one with Brooklyn.

Brooklyn bands are notorious for their long guest lists and this show was no exception. The green rooms were flooded with local friends, shivering smokers crowded the back patio and the party didn’t stop and carried on to Our Wicked Lady and Alphaville.

Animal Show

So, if anyone tries to tell you that the Brooklyn music scene is dead, punch them and say “I’m walkin’ here” and then play these killer bands.

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